Adam Silver gives no-nonsense explanation to Dallas Mavericks landing ‘one in a million’ No. 1 lottery pick 

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver explained why the Dallas Mavericks won the No. 1 lottery pick this year. He shot down any speculation that irregularities took place in the process.

In his appearance on the “Breakfast Ball” program on Fox Sports 1 on Wednesday, the NBA executive reiterated that what took place in the lottery was the whole system fully taking effect and nothing else.

“We call it a lottery, and I think, sometimes because it’s a lottery, people think it must have been a one-in-a-million chance that Dallas was going to win,” Silver said.

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"Remember, the worst performing team had a 14% chance of winning, which means there was an 86% chance they wouldn’t get it. Dallas had roughly a 2% chance. So, the losingest team had a 7x better chance," he added.

He further explained that the reason for the lottery system was to discourage teams from tanking to get a better chance at getting the top pick in the NBA draft. It is something that just worked for the Mavericks:

“Two percent is two percent. It’s gonna happen. When people say, ‘Therefore, the lottery is broken,’ I have a different view. I say it’s to disincentivize teams from tanking.

"So here you had a team that was clearly trying — whatever people think of that trade — they were trying to win. Then Kyrie [Irving] got injured. Then Anthony Davis got injured. So, they found themselves in the lottery. Odds are odds and that’s how it turned out.”

The Utah Jazz (17-65), Washington Wizards (18-64) and Charlotte Hornets (19-63) entered the lottery draw with the best odds at 14%. The Jazz and Wizards wound up outside of the top four, selecting No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.

After Dallas at No. 1, selecting next are the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and Hornets.

The Dallas Mavericks winning the lottery came after they took tremendous flak for trading Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers for a package that included Anthony Davis around the trade deadline in February.

Dallas Mavericks widely seen to use top pick on collegiate star Cooper Flagg

The Dallas Mavericks are widely expected to use their No. 1 pick on Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg.

Flagg, a 6-foot-9 do-it-all forward, has emerged as the front-runner to be the top pick in the draft after his solid play in his lone season with the Blue Devils.

He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists to lead Duke to a 35-4 record and a Final Four appearance while also being named the national college player of the year.

In Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks will look to add another key piece as they move on from the Doncic era.

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Mike Murillo

Michael Murillo is a journalist who covers basketball and MMA at Sportskeeda with over two decades of experience. Michael has contributed as a proofreader, columnist and journalist for the Philippine broadsheet BusinessWorld.

A graduate of the University of the Philippines with a degree in English Studies, basketball caught Michael's imagination from an early age. Varsity basketball helped Michael to express himself, and later, it opened doors into the world of journalism.

Michael has a particular admiration for the Phoenix Suns, inspired by Kevin Durant. Icons like Magic Johnson and modern legends like Durant have left an indelible mark on Michael for their revolutionary impact on the game.

Michael relies on the tried and tested method of thorough research to ensure accuracy in his content. He has interviewed multiple NBA players and officials with BusinessWorld, alongside athletes from various disciplines.

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